Gary Speed

Little did I know when I switched the football off on Saturday night that a bigger story than the penalty decision at Old Trafford was about to unfold. A night of celebrations and a worse for wear Sunday meant I didn't check up on the headlines till late Sunday afternoon.

Before I go any further I would like to say I don't but any daily newspaper. I haven't since the News of the World published their last episode. All I am saying is I am not aware of whatever rumours the tabloids have conjured up this morning. I'd rather concentrate on the man rather than whatever circumstances surround Speed's tragic death.

Speed started his career as a 19 year old at Leeds United. The midfield combination of Gordon Strachan, Gary McAllister and David Batty, along with Speed helped the Elland Road club win the last First Division trophy before the inception of the Premier League. Speed went on to play 312 appearances and scored 57 goals.

In 1996 Speed moved to Everton, the club he supported as a boy and although he scored on his debut and was made captain by then manager Howard Kendall, Speed left in controversial circumstances which for the sake of the reputation of Everton, he never revealed. He played 65 games for Everton and scored 17 goals.

After leaving Everton, Speed signed for Newcastle and helped the club reach back-to-back FA Cup finals. Unfortunately Newcastle lost both finals. Speed also had a flurry in the 2002-03 Champions League campaign. He went on to make 284 appearances and scored 40 goals. When he left in 2004 then manager Sir Bobby Robson was very sad to see him leave.

In 2004 Speed moved to Bolton. During his time there he became the first player to reach 500 Premier League games and when he scored against Reading in 2007, at that time he was the only man to score in every Premier League season. Ryan Giggs since matched and exceeded this feat. Speed made 139 appearances and scored 14 goals.

Speed finished his career at Sheffield United in 2008-10. During his time with the blades, Speed started work on his coaching badges. He officially retied from football in his 41st year after playing 40 times and scoring 6 goals for the Sheffield club.

At international level Gary Speed went on to win a record number of caps for an outfield player a total of 85. Only Neville Southall has more. He scored 7 goals for Wales and appears at number 6 in a list of Best Welsh Football Players. Speed then went on to manage the Wales International team for 10 games but during those games he lifted Wales back inside the top 50 of FIFA's rankings and he had all the players wanting to play for him.

Away from football Speed was an avid supporter of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation which raises money for cancer and ran the 2010 London Marathon. He was a loving family man and our thoughts are with his wife and children during this difficult time and pray the media and inquest are respectful.

As a player Speed will be remembered as a fantastic footballer. Good with either foot and extremely good in the air, his leadership qualities where evident which ever team he played for. He was a gentleman on and off the pitch but that didn't stop him being a fierce competitor in midfield. He may not have achieved as many honours as he might have elsewhere but he is undoubtedly an English Football legend and role model to all youngsters in the game.